Martin H. Jones received his doctorate in educational psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington and has a Bachelor degree in social studies education from Purdue University. Prior to entering graduate school, Dr. Jones worked as an instructor for college students with learning disabilities. It was during this time that he became interested in academic motivation and what affects students' desire to learn.

Dr. Jones' current research centers on how social influences affect academic motivation for students with and without learning disabilities. To this end, he studies peer groups and peer relationships as they affect students' academic motivation, self-regulated learning, and social functioning. Along with some some of his colleagues, Dr. Jones has developed several ways of measuring intra-group relationships as they pertain to self-regulated learning, academic motivation, and social interactions.

Before joining the University of Memphis faculty, Dr. Jones taught undergraduate and graduate courses in educational psychology, educational research methods, and special education. In addition, he has received several awards for his collegiate teaching.